Fluid control valve



July 5, 1955 w. A. RAY 2,712,429

FLUID CONTROL VALVE WAL/.4M A. RAY,

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July 5, 1955 W, A, RAY 2,712,429

FLUID CONTROL VALVE Original Filed July 12, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 31 WLL/AM A. RAY,

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Snventor:

United States Patent O FLUID CONTROL VALVE William Alton Ray, North Hollywood, Calif.

Continuation of application Serial No. 544,511, July 12, 1944, which is a division of application Serial No. 407,932 August 22, 1941. This application April 28, 1951, Serial No. 223,496

10 Claims. (Cl. 251-130) This invention relates to valves particularly designed for the control of gaseous fuels, and operated by an electromagnet.

This application is a continuation of application Serial Number 544,511, tiled July 12, 1944 (now abandoned), and which is a division of application Serial Number 407,932, liled August 22, 1941, now Patent No. 2,358,999, granted September 26, 1944.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an electromagnetically operated valve in which the danger of sticking is greatly minimized.

Often, a solenoid-type of electromagnet is used in which a plunger is guided in a sleeve and engages a stationary stop upon energization of the electromagnet. lf the gaseous fuel is permitted to enter the sleeve, it may deposit a gummy substance in the sleeve and on the stop. Accordingly, failure of the plunger to drop out would occur. lt is another object of this invention to ensure against the deposit of such gummy material by sealing off the magnetic circuit elements from the gas passageways.

Another object is to provide, in a solenoid operated valve, means for manually operating the valve upon failure of supply of electrical energy and for maintaining the valve in operated condition, the manual operating means being so arranged that it is rendered inelective when the supply of electrical energy is restored.

Another object is the provision of means for delaying the actuation of condition-controlling means, such as switching means, for a predetermined interval after the operation of movable means, such as a valve operator, the delaying means being eliective subsequently to delay the deactuation of the condition-controlling means for a predetermined interval after the return of the movable means to unoperated position.

Another object is the provision, in a time-delay system of the character described, of means for effecting a twoway snap-action of the condition-controlling means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be found in the description, the drawing, and the claims; and, for full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a solenoid-operated valve embodying features of the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are fragmentary views, similar to that of Fig. l, showing the parts in positions assumed in operation;

Figure 4 is a plan of the valve shown in Fig. l;

Figure 5 is a vertical section, taken along the irregular line 5-5 of Fig. l;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is a side elevation, taken in the plane of line 7-7 of Fig. 5, with the housing 55 broken away to show, in particular, the time-delay mechanism; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus shown Y in the other gures, along with an appropriate electrical control circuit therefor.

In the drawing, the numeral 11 indicates a valve casing having an inlet 12 and an outlet 13, the inner portion of the casing adjacent the outlet being built up to provide an annular valve seat 14. Cooperable with this seat is a dished closure member 15 secured to one end of a valve stem 16, the other end portion of the stem extending freely through a central opening in an otherwise apertured cupshaped Washer 17 located in the inlet of the casing and held from outward movement by a wire ring 1S snapped into a groove formed in the inlet wall, and engageable with the periphery of the washer. A spring 19, surrounding the valve stem 16 and compressed between the Washer 17 and a nut 20 threaded on an intermediate portion of the stem, serves to urge the closure member 14 toward its seat and the washer 17 against its retaining snap ring. The periphery of the closure member 14 is guided by three spaced portions 21 extending from the inner wall of the casing.

Covering an opening through the top wall of casing 11 is a flexible diaphragm 22, of material such as leather, or thin sheet metal, the marginal portion of which is clamped between the casing and the bottom ange 23 of a subhousing, generally indicated at 24, attached to the casing. Pivoted on a pin 25, mounted in spaced brackets 26 attached to horizontal platforms 27 extending from the upper inner side walls of the casing (Fig. 5), is a U- shaped arm 28, the rounded lower extremities of which straddle the portion of valve stern 16 between the closure member 15 and nut 2l). The upper cross-portion of arm 2S abuts the underside of diaphragm 22, and above it is the medial portion of a channelled lever 29, the arm 28 and lever 29 being secured together and to the diaphragm at these portions by screws. lt is thus apparent that the arm and the lever can be rocked as a unit on pin 25 to operate the closure member 15, the pin 23 being located as close as is practicable to the plane of the diaphragm so as to minimize flexure oi the same. The general valve-operating arrangement thus far described is disclosed in my copending application, Serial Number 378,756, led February 13, 1941, now Patent No. 2,354,704, issued August l, 1944; and is claimed in a division of the aforesaid application, Serial Number 536,699, tiled May 22, 1944, now Patent No. 2,442,877, granted lune 18, 1948.

The sub-housing 24 is of generally rectangular form, and comprises side walls 30 turned up from flange portion 23 (Fig. 5), end walls 31, and an overlapping top wall 32, the walls being secured together as by welding or solder, to form, together with diaphragm 22, a sealed compartment.

Threaded in an opening in an inclined portion of the top wall 32 is a solenoid device, generally indicated at 33, comprising a sleeve 34, the upper end of which is closed by a plug 35, and a plunger 36 freely reciprocable in the sleeve and limited in upward movement by a round-ended stop pin 37, secured in plug 35, which cooperates with a concentric conical recess 38 in the upper end of the plunger to center that end in the sleeve when the plunger is attracted by the energization of coil 39. The plunger is generally square in cross-section, its corners being rounded so that the plunger is a loose tit in the sleeve. The corners 4t) of the lower end of the plunger are slightly larger in diameter (but still considerably smaller than the internal diameter of the sleeve) so that, if a lateral force is applied to the lower end of the plunger when it is in its attracted position, only these corners can engage the sleeve. The general solenoid construction shown herein is disclosed and claimed in U. S. Patents No. 2,096,763 (and Reissue thereof No. 21,881) to Ray et al., and No. 2,098,195 to Ray, and will not be further described.

v that, while its upper end is centered by pin 37,

` in open position on account of the accumulation or Y in openings in the side walls Sil of the sub-housing, for a purpose hereinafter to be described. The arm d8, being rotatable on a center diiferent from that of the unit cornposed of lever 23 and arm 28, is slotted to receive pin 47'.

Ey its linked connection with lever 29, when the solenoid plunger is attracted by energization of coil .39, arm 28 is rocked to move closure member l5 to its open position against the bias of spring i9. it will be Ynoted that the counter force oi spring 19 is applied laterally to the lower end of the plunger the general axis of movement of link 45 being at an angle to the axis of the plunger) so i ts lower against the right-hand side end ortion fill is held tightly of the sleeve, as is shown in Fig. 2, rhe components oiV magnetic and mechanical forces applied to the .plunger in its attractedposition serve to p event vibration and hum when the solenoid is energized by alternating current. Bue to the inclined position of the solenoid, gravity acting on the plunger also contributes to this effect, and may, in modied constructions, be the controlling factor.

4rl`hese features are claimed in the aforementioned parent j which is provided, at its lower end, with a conical head 51, spaced above which, and attached to the rod, is a collar 52 having an upper facing S3 (Fig. 3) of leather. or the like. The upper portion of the rod Si? is guided in an opening in the top portion of a U-shaped bracket 54, mounted on the wall 32, and extends freely through van aligned opening in the top wall of a cylindrical protective housing 55, which is frictionally mounted on the turned-up peripheral portion of Harige 23. Rod '59 is urged upwardly by a spring S6, secured at one end to the rod and at the other to the wall 32, so that, in the normal position of the rod as shown in Fig. l, thecollar 52, by its facing 53, seals the adjacent opening around the rod. it will be noted that, in the event of ruptureof the diaphragm, leakage of fluid would be confined to the space denecl by the interior of the subhousing and the solenoid sleeve.

Furthermore, the diaphragm 22-serves to isolate the plunger Y3o, the sleeve fl, and the exposed parts of stop pin 37` from the iiow of gas controlled bythe valve, Accordingly, there is no danger of the valve sticking gummy deposits from the gas flow. In addition, the sealed sub-housing 24 ensures against the entry of any other form of foreign matter that may interfere with free'movement of plunger 36.

The head 5l of rod 5ft is cooperable with the hooked end 57 of the bent-up right-hand end portion of lever 29. ln the event or" failure of electrical supply for the solenoid 33, the Vvalve may be operated by manipulation of rod Si); When this rod is moved downward by linger pressure on a button', the lever 29 is rocked, the hook-57 riding on the tapered surface of cone 5f. until Vitdrops into the recess 59 between the cone and the collar 52, theparts assuming the positions shown in Fig. 3. Pressure on button 58 Ymay now be released, the closure member 1S being held in substantially fullopen-position by engagement of hook 57 with head 5l.

It will be noted that, in the manual opening of the valve, the solenoid plunger 36 is moved only partially toward its attracted position, so that, upon resumption of electrical supply, it is moved still farther, upward` thereby rocking lever 29 so that the engagement of hooi; 57 with theihead S1 is released and the rod Sil returns to its normal raised position under the inlluence of spring 56.

As is seen in Fig. 6, the guide hole for rod 50 in the top portion of bracket 54 provides a tongue et) which extends into a shallow slot 61 formed in the upper side wall of rod 50. This slot is wider at its upper end than at its lower, so that limited rotation of the rod is permitted when it is in its depressed position. Spring :o is so arranged that it exerts a rotative force on rod Si), tending to retain the vertical, or right-hand, side of the slot el in engagement with the tongue 6u. If it is desired to reclose the valve (after it has Vbeen manually opened) before the resumption of electrical supply, the button S8 is rotated to its Release position, shown Fig. 4, against the torsional bias of spring 56, thereby bringing a flattened or cut-away surface 62 of the otherwise conical head 5l Vinto register with hooi?L 57,k soV that the rod can then move upward to permit the valve to close under `the force of its bias.

if the solenoid is connected to the electrical supply service in series with an automatic controlling device, such as a thermostat, or other limit-control, it is desrable that the valve, upon resumption ot electrical service after the valve has been manually opened, should immediately close if the limit-control is calling for such operation. However, under such condition of the limitcontrol, its switching means would generally be open, that no energy would normally be available vat the solenoid for raising its plunger to release themanual holding means. To overcome ythis defect, l have provided switching means, actuatedby the manual valveoperating means, whereby the plunger will be releasedV upon resumption of electrical service., regardless of the condition of the limit control. These means are more clearly shown in Fig. 5, and comprise a pair of resilient contact blades 65 and 66 which are mounted on an insulating base o7 by means of posts and 69, respectively, the base being attached to the ear portions 79 of the racket 54. ln the downward movement'of rod Sil, a 7l (preferably of insulating material) car-l ried thereby, engages blade 65 and tienes it into contact with blade 66, as shown in Fig. 3. Post o3 is connected by a wire to a terminal plate 72 and post 69 to another plate 73, to which plate one lead of the solenoid is also connectedn The other solenoid lead is connected to a third terminal plate 74. rEhe corresponding terminal posts, shown on housing SS-in Fig. 7, have been assigned primed numerals. Referring to the corresponding diagram of Fig. 8, it will be seen that the Contact blades are connected in shunt with the terminals ot' a thermostat 75, and that the thermostat is connected in series with the power upply terminal 75 and one Ylead of the solenoid, the other solenoid lead going directly to the other power supply terminal 77.

from the power supply terminals to the solenoid independent of the thermostat, so that, upon resumption of electrical service, the solenoid plunger is attracted to its fully raised position, releasing the rod 5u, the resultant upward movement of the rod effecting disengagement of the contact blades. lf the thermostat switch is now in closed condition, the plunger remains in energized position, since the solenoid is lconnected to the'power terminals through this switch; but, if the thermostat switch happens to be open after the plunger is initially attracted, it then falls when the blades 655-66 separate.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 7 and the corresponding diagrammatic showing of Fig, 8, rod 49 is connected by arrn 4S to the lever 29 so that it moves in accordance therewith, as was described hereinabove. Yieldably connected to an end of rod 49, exterior to the sub-housing 24, by its volute portion 86 isa resilient arm 8l which insulatiugly carries on its free end The blades 65 and 65, when in contact, thus complete a circuitV a Contact element 82. Cooperable with this contact element is another similar element 83 mounted on a bracket 84 which is insulatingly attached to the flange 23. Insulated terminals 85 and 86 are provided for the electrical connection of the contact elements in a circuit, terminal 86 being connected to element 82 by a flexible wire 87. Also mounted by one of its ends on ange 23 is a U-shaped bimetallic member 8S, the free end of which carries a head 89 normally positioned immediately above a solid portion of arm 81, and adjacent an opening 9i) formed therein, this opening being of such size and shape as freely to receive the head 89 and the portion of member S8 to which it is attached. Wrapped around a portion of the bimetallic member is a resistance coil 91 which, when energized by passage of current therethrough, is effective to heat the bimetallic member so that its free end warps in a left-hand direction.

When the solenoid is energized, in the opening movement of the valve, the rod 49 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 7) so that arm 8l is moved into engagement with the head 89 of the bimetallic member, additional rotation of the rod eiecting exure of the arm and, in particular, of its volute portion 80. As is shown in Fig. 8, the resistance coil 91 is connected in parallel with the solenoid coil so that heating of the bimetallic member is now initiated. After a predetermined interval, warping of the bimetallic member moves its head 89 into register with opening 90, with the result that arm 81 is suddenly projected upward, bringing contact elements 82 and S3 into engagement, as is shown in broken lines in Fig. 7. In this position of arm 81, the upper edge of the head 89 is latched under the portion of arm 81 adjacent the lefthand edge of opening 90 due to the arcuate path of the end of this arm. Continued energization of the resistance coil effects slight additional movement of the bimetallic member in a left-hand direction until the portion thereof above head 89 is in engagement with the left-hand edge of the opening, in which position it remains during the energization of the resistance coil and solenoid. Should energization now be discontinued, the valve closes and the arm 81 tends to assume its normal position. However', due to the engagement of head 89 with the underside of arm 81, the same is restrained from movement until the bimetallic member has cooled sufciently again to bring its head into register with the opening 9d, whereupon arm 81 moves suddenly downward, opening contacts 82-S3. The time-delay feature may, for example, be advantageously employed in connection with the control of the circulating fan of a hot-air heating system. Referring to Fig. 8, and assuming that the closure member is arranged to control ow of fuel to a gas-consuming hot-air furnace, fan 92 will be operated upon engagement of contacts 82-83 a predetermined interval after the opening of the valve, and its operation will be continued for an interval after the reclosing of the valve, so that the air will be circulated while, and only While, it is hot. Terminals 93 of the fan circuit are preferably connected directly to the service lines, the valve and control terminals 76-77 usually being connected to a low-voltage supply to minimize iire hazard in the thermostat circuit. In Fig. 8, a damper 94 is shown connected for operation by rod 49. Such a damper may, for example, conveniently be employed to control the supply of auxiliary air to the furnace, and is opened concurrently with the opening of the fuel valve.

The time delay apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is made the subject of a divisional application Serial No. 377,461, tiled August l0, 1953, and entitled Fluid Con trol Valve.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a fluid control valve: a casing having a passage therethrough; means movable in said casing for controlling iiuid flow through said passage; flexible, normally impermeable means forming a Wall of said casing exposed to said iuid; a support mounted on said casing; a sleeve mounted on the support and open at one end; an axially movable plunger slidable in said sleeve and extending through the open end; stop means at the other end of the sleeve; means connecting the plunger and the uid ilow controlling means for movement of said controlling means in accordance with the movement of said plunger; and an electromagnet coil surrounding the sleeve for moving the plunger and said ow controlling means.

2. ln a iluid control valve: a casing having a passage therethrough; flexible, normally impermeable means forming a Wall of said casing exposed to said uid; means movable in the casing and attached to the wall for controlling fluid flow through said passage; a support mounted on said casing; a sleeve mounted on the support and open at one end; an axially movable plunger slidable in said sleeve and extending through the open end; means connected to the plunger and joined to the outer surface of the flexible means for moving said flow-controlling means in accordance with the movement of said plunger; stop means for the plunger at the other end of said means; and an electroniagnet coil surrounding the sleeve for causing the plunger to move inwardly of the sleeve against the stop means and for moving said liow controlling means.

3. In a duid control vaive: a casing having a passage therethrough; a ilexible, normally impermeable means forming a Wall of said casing and exposed to said fluid, said wall forming a seal for the casing; a housing covering said wall externally of the casing; a sleeve supported on a wall of the housing and having an end opening into the housing; stop means closing the other end of the sleeve; an electromagnet coil surrounding the sleeve and externally or" the housing; a plunger slidable in said sleeve and extending through the open end into the housing; said housing being huid-tight; a movable mechanism having elements attached to opposite sides or" the liexible means for controlling the ow of uid through the passage; and means connecting the plunger to the element that is external of the valve passage for moving said mechanism in accordance with the movement of said plunger.

4. In a uid control valve: a casing having a passage therethrough; means in said casing for controlling fluid tloW through said passage; a solenoid device mounted on the casing and comprising an attractable plunger; a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the casing and connected at one of its ends to said plunger; means operatively connecting said lever with said How-controlling means; and a manually reciprocable member biased in one direction and movable in the other direction, and positioned so as to engage the other end of the lever and rock it, only while said solenoid is unenergized, to operate the flow-controlling means to open position and simultaneously move the plunger to a partially attracted position; the other end of the lever forming a detent cooperable, when the lever is in said manually rocked position, with a notch in said reciprocable member so as to maintain the lever in said rocked position with the member in engagement therewith; movement of the plunger to its fully attracted position, upon energization of the solenoid, so rocking the lever as to permit Withdrawal of said detent from said notch so that the reciprocable member is retracted under the force o said bias.

5. In a fluid control valve: a valve body having means forming a valve seat, said body having an opening; a closure member in the body; a flexible normally impermeable wall sealing said opening, and exposed on one side to the interior of the body; a housing covering said wall, said housing having an aperture; the other side of said wall being exposed to the interior of the housing; a sleeve supported on the housing, and opening only at one end into the housing; said housing opening exteriorly only at said aperture; an electromagnet coil surrounding the sleeve and externally of the housing; a plunger slidable in said sleeve and extending through the open end into the housing; mechanism having elements attached on opposite sides of the flexible wall for operating said closure member, said plunger being connected to one of the elements that is external of the valve body for operating the mechanism; movable operating means extending through said housing aperture for moving said one element independently of the electromagnet coil; resilient means urging said operating means outwardly of the housing; and stop means Vcarried by said operating means and limiting outward movement of said operating means, stop means sealingly engaging about said housing aperture in the limiting position of saidA operating means.

6. ln a huid control valve: a valve body having means forming a valve seat, said body having an opening; a closure member in the body; a ilexible normally impermeable wall sealing said opening, and exposed on one side to the interior of the body; a housing covering said wall, said housing having an aperture; the other side of said wall being exposed to Ythe interior of the housing; a sleeve supported on the housing, and opening only at one end into the housing; said housing opening exteriorly only at said aperture; an electromagnet coil surrounding the sleeve and externally of the housing; a plunger slidable in said sleeve and extending through the open end into the housing; mechanism having elements attached on opposite sides of the ilexible wall for operating said closure member, said plunger being connected to one of the elements that is external of the valve body for operating the mechanism; a manually movable plunger extending through said housing aperture for moving said one element independently' of the electromagnet coil; means forming a shoulder on said manually movable plunger limiting outward movement of said plunger; resilient means urging said manually movable plunger outwardly of the housing and toward inoperative position; and a sealing element carried by said manually movable plunger and engaging about said aperture to seal said housing upon movement of said manually movable plunger to inoperative position.

7. Tn a duid control valve: a valve body having a passage therethrough; a lever pivoted on the body and having Ameans for closing said passage upon angular movement of said lever to one position; resilient means biasing said lever to said one position; electromagnetic means for moving said lever away from said one position and toanother position in which said passage is open; a manually reciprocable member biased in one direction and movable in the other direction; said lever having a portion in the path of movement of said reciprocable member, said portion being moved out of the path of movement of said reciprocable member when said lever is in said other position; movement of said reciprocable member in said other direction when said portion is in the path of movement thereof moving said lever to an intermediate position in which said passage is open; and means forming a detachable latch between said reciprocable member and said lever portion to prevent retraction of said lever and said reeiprocable member to their respective biased positions, said latch being moved to disengaging position upon movement of said lever to said other position by said Yelectromagnetic means.

8. In a uid control valve: a valve body having a passage therethrough; al lever pivoted on the body and having means for closing said passage upon angular movement of said lever to one position; resilient means biasing said Vlever to said one position; electromagnetic means for moving said lever away from said one position and to another position in which said-passage is open; a manually reciprocable. plunger; means guiding said plunger for longitudinal movement; resilient means urging said plunger in one longitudinal direction and toone angular position; said plunger being movable in the other longitudinal direction as well as away from said one angular position; said leverl having aA portion. 1n the path` of movement of said reciprocable member when said' reciprocable member is in said one angular position, said portion being moved out of the path of movement of said reciprocable member when said lever is in said other position; movement of said reciprocable member inn said.

other direction when said portion is in the pathA of movement thereof moving said leverl to an intermediate position in which said passage is open; and means formingA a detachable latch between said reciprocable member and said lever portion to prevent retraction of said lever. to

said one position and to prevent longitudinal retractionY of said reciprocable member in said one lonm'tudinal direction, said latch being movedV to disengaged position.-

upon movement of said lever tofsaid other position by said electromagnetic means, said latch also being moved' to disengaged position upon angularV movement of said plunger away from said one angular position.

9. ln Va lluid control valve: a valve body having a passage therethrough; a lever pivoted on the body and having means for closing said passage upon angular move` a surface inclined to the direction of movement of said one element, as weil as a reentrant shoulder adjoining said surface; the other element forming a projection; said.

projection being enageable with said surface to move said lever from said oneposition upon movement of said reciprocable element to said other position when said lever element. is in the path of movement of said reciprocable element, and to a position intermediate Said one and said other position of said lever, and in which said passage is open; said shoulder and said projectionV forming a latch to prevent retraction of said lever and saidy reciprocable element to their respective biased positions, said projection and said shoulder being moved to diseugaging position upon movement of said lever to said other position by said electromagnetic means.

10'. .ln a iiuid control valve: a valve body having a passage therethrough; a lever pivoted on the body and having means for closing said passage upon angular movement of said lever to one position; resilient means biasing said lever to said one position; elec-V tromagnetic means for moving said lever away from said one position and to another position in which said passage is open; a manually reciprocable plunger; means guiding said plunger for longitudinal movement; resilient` means urgingY said :plunger'in one longitudinal direction and to one angular position; said plunger being movable inthe otl er longitudinal. direction aswell asaway from said one angular position; said lever and said plunger having elements engageable with each other, the element of the lever being in the path of movement of said plunger element when Vsaid reciprocable plunger is in said one angular position, said lever element being moved out of the'path oi movement of said plunger element when said lever is in said other position; one of said elements providing a surface inclined to the direction of movement of said oneelement, aswell as a reentrant shoulder adjoining said surface;-the other element forming a projection; said projection being engageable withv said surface to move said lever from said one position; upon movement of said reciprocable plunger inV said other direction when said lever element is in the path of movement of said plunger element, and to a position. inten lever and said reciprocable element to their respective biased positions when said plunger is in said one angular position; said projection and said shoulder being rnoved to disengaging position upon movement of said lever to said other position by said electromagnetic means, said projection and said shoulder also being moved to disengagng position upon angular movement of said plunger away from said one angular position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,637,154 Mark July 26, 1927 10 McIntosh Feb. 26, Simpson Apr. 2, Hildebrecht Apr. 19, Kronmiller June 21, Davis Oct. 4, Hotchkiss Aug. 15, Carlson Mar. 19, Sparrow June 17, Mantz Nov. 2, Ogden Aug. 20, 

